Back in February 2019 the Arkansas legislature proposed a Tobacco 21 bill called HB 1980. That bill has passed the house by a vote of 31-1 and the Senate 66-9.
The new bill bans the purchase of all tobacco products to those under 21 years old while providing an exemption to members of the military and smokers who turn 19 prior to the law taking effect on September 1, 2019.
Arkansas is set to become the 13th state to enact a Tobacco 21 joining California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington in raising the tobacco purchase age to 21. While Maryland (expected to sign) and New York (unknown) have sent bills to the Governors desk in their respective states where they currently await a Gubernatorial signature or veto.
